WHITEHORSE—Yukon seniors and their families are one step closer to having improved access to the long-term, facility-based care that is so urgently needed in the territory.

A final design-build construction agreement has been reached between the Yukon government and PCL Constructors Westcoast Inc. for the delivery of the 150-bed Whistle Bend continuing care facility. The fixed-price design-build agreement, valued at $113,985,270, is one of the largest construction contracts ever awarded in Yukon. The three-year project’s total budget is estimated to be $146,600,000.

“This project has been a high priority for our government,” Premier Darrell Pasloski said. “The need for a continuing care facility has been described as ‘desperate’ by health care professionals. Our investment in this facility aligns with our vision to use taxpayer dollars to create jobs and business opportunities, to build much-needed infrastructure that will position Yukon for a positive future, and to provide the services that Yukoners need.”

When completed in 2018, the facility will help meet the need for long-term care beds and ensure that Yukoners receive appropriate care and specialized treatment.

“Today is a hugely important milestone in the project and excellent news for Yukoners,” Minister of Health and Social Services Mike Nixon said. “We are excited to be moving forward with this facility, which will provide a high level of care to those who need it most.”

Initial architectural and facility designs are being unveiled this week and will be posted to the Whistle Bend Continuing Care project website. A second business-to-business networking session will be held next month to give local contractors and service providers the opportunity to promote their businesses directly to the PCL team ahead of the start of construction.

“Although we are still a few months away from breaking ground in Whistle Bend, today marks the culmination of a tremendous amount of work that has gone into this project over the past three years,” Minister of Highways and Public Works Scott Kent said. “The result is a world-class design that will be built by an experienced team that is committed to supporting local participation on the project through the hiring of Yukon contractors and tradespeople.”